Calvin Johnson catch: Another silly NFL rule

Oakland Raiders fans still burning about the tuck rule have some company today, after the Detroit Lions were victimized Sunday by another silly NFL rule.

With 24 seconds to go and the Lions trailing the Chicago Bears 19-14, Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson got two feet, a knee and his rear end down with the ball in the end zone, but the ball hit the ground after he rolled over. The verdict: He didn’t maintain possession through the completion of the play. No catch. The Bears hung on to win, handing the hapless Lions their 21st consecutive road defeat.
Former NFL officiating supervisor Mike Pereira explains the call here (the play starts at 1:04):

NFL rules state that a player must complete the “process” of the catch, meaning Johnson had to maintain possession after landing on the ground, crochet a sweater for his grandmother, whip up a pot of chili and pick up the kids after school before the pass was rule complete.

Even fans in Chicago think it should have been a catch, with 80 percent voting that way in a Chicago Tribune poll.

No, that’s absolutely not a catch by letter of the rulebook and casebook. Not only is the rule clear that the receiver completes the catch by holding the ball throughout the act of falling to the ground (not just while falling to the ground), but there are examples in the casebook that back up the ruling of this play.
Basically, I agree with the masses that it should have been a catch and touchdown, but the angst of those directed at the officiating crew is misguided. It should be at the NFL rules committee.

By the way, if you Google “Calvin Johnson catch,” you also find this amazing play from his Georgia Tech days. Calvin would probably prefer you watch this one.